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Outdoor adventure in Australian outdoor education: Is it a case of roast for Christmas dinner?

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Abstract

Outdoor adventure activities, typically originating from other countries, form the basis of most Australian outdoor education programs. Research on adventure-based outdoor education in Australia and elsewhere has tended to focus on determining the benefits of participating in such programs. Less attention has been paid to a critical examination of the educational rationale for the use of adventure activities in outdoor education contexts. This paper draws on contemporary outdoor education literature, particularly socially and culturally critical perspectives, to highlight educational issues and questions about the nature and role of adventure activities in outdoor education. It draws particular attention to issues related to social justice and environmental education objectives and suggests a need for further scrutiny of the congruence between theory and practice.

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Authors
  1. Alison Lugg
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Additional information

Alison Lugg has recently joined the outdoor education section of the Scottish Centre for Physical Education, Sport and Leisure Studies at The University of Edinburgh where she is lecturing in outdoor education and starting PhD study. She can be contacted on alisonl@education.ed.ac.

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Lugg, A. Outdoor adventure in Australian outdoor education: Is it a case of roast for Christmas dinner?. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education 8, 4–11 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03400790

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